Buying Guide: Find out what's important when buying a new TV

First things first, here’s how to spot an energy-efficient TV

When browsing for a new TV, keep an eye out for the little blue ENERGY-STAR^® label. This designation is a great indicator that the model includes energy-efficient features designed to help you save. On average ENERGY-STAR^®-certified televisions use 27 per cent less energy than other models.

Did you know?

TVs use energy even in “sleep mode”, ENERGY STAR®-certified televisions use one watt or less in sleep mode, helping you save even when the TV isn’t in use. 

Enhance your viewing experience

The brighter your TV’s display is, the more energy it’s using. ENERGY-STAR® models include options that help enhance the television’s display and use less energy. Here are a few to look out for:

• Automatic Brightness Control (ABC): Forget having to adjust the curtains, this feature adjusts the brightness of the TV to complement the room it is situated in, not only does this help improve your viewing experience, but it also uses less energy.
• LED-backlit TVs: These TVs use LED lighting to backlight the picture display, making them more energy efficient than older LCD models. They also include a local dimming feature which dims or turns off parts of the backlight to deepen the onscreen blacks, adding depth to the picture and reducing the amount of energy used.
• Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs): OLEDs is the latest in television screen lighting technology, it allow for thinner and brighter displays and uses less energy than LED screens as it doesn’t require a backlight to function.

Don’t forget about picture modes! Picture modes are settings you can choose – like vivid, movie or dynamic – that may require more energy. To keep your TV's consumption as low as possible, use the ENERGY STAR®-certified default setting.

Keep in mind what features you need

With each new model it seems like there are more features to consider, from Smart TVs to adding sound bars, how do you decide? Think about your television use and what added features you or your family will appreciate or find useful. Televisions that include extra features such as wireless connection tend to use more energy.

Same goes for added accessories. When plugging in other devices consider using a power strip or “smart” power bar for your full entertainment centre. By plugging the TV into the power bar’s master plug and adding other devices such as DVD players and video game systems into the complementary plugs, once the TV is turned off it’ll cut the power to the other devices as well – automatically saving energy and reducing your electricity costs.

Did you know your TV could be drawing phantom power? The easiest way to stop phantom power from occurring is to unplug your devices when they're not in use. For devices that aren't so easy to unplug, you can use power bars to help you save.